Warrior Memories: Leah Bridgeman Jager

To be able to sit down and talk to 1978 Warrior graduate Leah Bridgeman Jager was a real treat. The enthusiasm that she possesses is infectious.

While at Del Norte High School she was a standout track athlete. Leah started her running career while still in the eighth grade.

Dee Sullivan, a former Warrior coach, recognized Leah’s talent and brought her over to the high school to workout with the high school team. In those days Dee ran the AAU track club that participated in Junior Olympic events.

In 1974, Leah’s freshman year, she placed 3rd in the long jump in her Junior Olympic age group.

In high school. Leah was a league champion during her sophomore and junior years in the 100 yard dash, the 220 yard dash and also as a member of the 4x100 relay team. Leah did not participate during her senior year, as she graduated early, making her ineligible.

We all recognize Leah now for the outstanding job she does with the
high school dance program. She started her dance career as a freshman
in the program at DNHS that was run by former DNHS teacher Julie
Roberts.

After Leah graduated in 1978 she and good friend Janice Yamor enrolled
in Orange Coast Junior College in southern California. While at Orange
Coast she ran on the sprint relay teams in track.

She also continued her dance interests. She and her friend Janice were recognized as Orange Coast’s most outstanding dancers.

After leaving Orange Coast she enrolled at the University of Santa
Barbara, where she received her bachelors’ degree. After Santa Barbara
she went to Metro Station University in Denver, Colo., where she earned
her teaching credential.

She returned to Crescent City and was given a teaching position at
DNHS. She took over the dance program and for the last 22 years has
developed what has to be one of the top high school dance programs in
the state.

The program started in the multipurpose room at the high school, but it
soon became obvious that they needed their own place to work.

Dance students, parents and other community members started fund
raising events and with a big help from the school district the Doris
Whalen Dance Studio was completed in 1998. This is a class facility.

Now there are five periods of dance every day as part of the physical
education program. These classes are always full and what they are able
to accomplish is amazing. The room fills at lunch time with students
wanting to improve their performance.

Leah is loved and respected by her students and is always available to
give them special help. She and her husband have one son who is a
junior at DNHS.

Those of us in the Warrior family hope that Leah will stay around as long as Doris Whalen did. Our youth would really like that.

Dick Trone writes on his reflections and the history of Del Norte High
Warrior sports. Trone, who played football for the Warriors, had an
illustrious career on the gridiron at Humboldt State University. Trone
was head football coach at Del Norte High for a number of years before
retiring.